Comparison

Drawing References Pro vs PaintLikePro

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Drawing References Pro

Access a vast library of portrait and pose references for artistic practice. Enhance your workflow with tools like photo import, mirroring, grids, and timed gesture drawing. Compare your work directly to references with a unique transparent overlay feature.

Highlights
  • Portrait and pose reference library
  • Import photos from phone/Google Drive
  • Reference manipulation tools
  • Timed gesture drawing mode
  • Transparent overlay comparison
Features
Read full description

Do you like portraits or figure drawing? Then welcome! Here is what you will find in our app: * Huge collection of portrait and pose references for your practice. * Import your own photos from phone or Google Drive. * Flip, mirror, always on screen, customizable overlay grid, convert to greyscale, blur, ... everything you need to turn your reference photo into a stunning drawing. * Timed mode for gesture drawing practice. AND: Take a photo of your drawing and compare it with the reference using our unique transparent overlay ... that's hard to explain ... you just need to try it for yourself :-) Very helpful, you'll see! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.drawingreferencesapp.com/privacy-policy/

About

PaintLikePro

Features
Read full description

Have you ever looked at a photograph and wished you could paint it on canvas, but felt overwhelmed by color mixing? Welcome to PaintLikePro, the first app designed to bridge the gap between your digital photos and real-world paints. This isn't just a photo filter—it is a professional studio assistant that deconstructs your images and teaches you exactly how to paint them. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned artist, PaintLikePro removes the guesswork from color theory. Simply import a photo, and watch as the app transforms it into a paint by color style guide, complete with exact mixing recipes using standard artist pigments. WHY YOU NEED THIS For the first time, there is an easy way to bring digital images into the real world. Other apps keep you on the screen; PaintLikePro gets you to the easel. We don't just show you the colors; we tell you how to mix them. THE INNOVATIVE "PAINT KIT" Our standout feature is the printable Paint Kit. With a single tap, generate a high-resolution, 8.5" x 11" studio sheet that contains everything you need to start painting immediately: A pale underpainting guide with outlines. A precise shopping list of pigments required for your specific image. A visual mixing grid. Step-by-step mixing recipes (e.g., "Mix 80% White + 20% Cadmium Red"). FEATURES Smart Color Reduction: Simplify complex photos into manageable palettes ranging from 4 to 32 colors. Real-World Pigments: The engine is built on a 14-color artist palette, including standards like Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, and Alizarin Crimson. Precision Mixing Engine: Click on any color in your image to see the exact recipe. We calculate tints (adding White) and shades (adding Black) automatically. Dynamic Visualization: Toggle between the Original image, Outlines, Pale Mode (for underpainting), and Grayscale to understand values. Isolate Colors: Tap a swatch to darken everything else, showing you exactly where that specific color belongs on the canvas. Universal Export: Save your work as a digital reference or print the Paint Kit to take to your art studio. WHO IS THIS FOR? Students learning color theory who want practical application. Hobbyists who want to paint their pets, landscapes, or loved ones with accuracy. Professional artists looking to speed up their color study and underpainting process. Stop guessing and start painting. Download PaintLikePro today and turn your memories into masterpieces.

Screenshots

Drawing References Pro4 screens
PaintLikePro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PaintLikePro at Free against Drawing References Pro's $4.99. PaintLikePro also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). Drawing References Pro's advantage is chart position (#162 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.1). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

PaintLikePro is free to download; Drawing References Pro costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Drawing References Pro ships an update every 2 months, PaintLikePro every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Drawing References Pro versus PaintLikePro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrawing References ProPaintLikePro
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#162 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.1
Further details — not scored
Size110 MB12 MB
Age rating12+4+
Developerfnx.ioJunaid Khan

In-app purchases

None

Drawing References Pro

No in-app purchases

None

PaintLikePro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Drawing References Pro free?
Drawing References Pro costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PaintLikePro free?
PaintLikePro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Drawing References Pro or PaintLikePro have ads?
Neither Drawing References Pro nor PaintLikePro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Drawing References Pro or PaintLikePro?
Drawing References Pro ships an update every 2 months, and PaintLikePro every 4 days. Most recently, Drawing References Pro was updated on November 6, 2026 and PaintLikePro on October 30, 2026.

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